Dri laid in the bed, staring at the ceiling in the room she had rented in Gran Soren. It's been six damn weeks! Six! In that time, she had not only escorted Ser Mercedes and the Hydra's head to Gran Soren, but she also filled a number of jobs in Gran Soren, the Encampment, and Cassardis. I rescued Quina from the Witchwood, killed a large number of pretty much everything, escorted people all over the place, explored the Everfall for Barnaby, caught a thief, and I am stuck sitting here in the bed of this inn. Is the duke going to see me or not!?

A sudden knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts. "Who is it?"

"'Tis me Master."

"Drake! Give me a minute." Crap, I didn't even think about eating or getting dressed. If Drake's wondering what's taking so long, Krystal and Onyx must be back from the Pawn Guild. With the thought that she was holding up her party, Dri quickly threw clothes on and headed out of her room.

"Good morning, Master. May I ask why you are not in your armor?" Drake greeted, noticing that Dri wore a simple dress instead of her leather armor.

"Good morning to you as well. I will explain everything as soon as we catch up with Krystal and Onyx. Are they downstairs?"

"Yes, Master."

Dri headed down, followed by Drake. As soon as she saw Krystal and Onyx, she waved them over.

"Good morning, Arisen." Krystal and Onyx greeted Dri.

"Good morning. Now that everyone is here, I want to explain something to you. As you know, we have completed most, if not all, of the jobs that have been listed on notice boards here, at the Encampment, or in Cassardis these last weeks. The duke has not sent for me yet, as Ser Mercedes promised. As such, I decided that today, we will remain in Gran Soren all day resting."

Noting the confusion throughout her party, Dri hastened to explain. "What I mean by this is that Krystal, Onyx, you are free to do be at the Pawn Legion all day if you wish. Drake, you can accompany me throughout town or head to the Legion as well. I will not be completing ANY jobs today. We've done plenty these last weeks, running our bodies ragged. What do you want to do today?"

Krystal and Onyx looked at each other, then back at Dri. Over the last weeks, the girls had become much better at expressing their wishes to her. "We would like to go back to the Legion, Master. Krystal and I are both tired still."

Dri smiled. "Of course you may go. Rest up, for the next few days could prove to be busy."

After the girls left, Dri turned to Drake. "And what do you want to do today?"

"Whatever pleases you, Master."

Dri sighed. Unlike Krystal and Onyx, Drake was still reluctant to make his needs known. He is getting better at understanding emotions and conversing though. I guess it will just take more time. "First off, let's go to the alehouse across the square and get something to eat. Then, we'll work on what to do today."

Dri headed out, aware that Drake was following her closely. Ever since she was spoken to by an old, short man in a cloak that concealed most of his features, Drake's protectiveness had shot way up. Though there were a few concealed threats during that conversation. Dri did feel a lot safer with Drake around, too. Who was going to mess with a big, tall, muscly guy that carried a giant freaking hammer?

Pushing other thoughts to the back of her mind, Dri noticed that she was walking into the alehouse. Louisa, the morning waitress, smiled at them while Dri and Drake found a table to sit at. They had barely sat down when she came over.

"Breakfast for the both ya, aye?"

"Yes, please," answered Dri.

"Ya want eggs or sausage with de meal?"

"I would like sausage," answered Dri.

"Eggs, please." Ooh, Drake made a choice on his own. AND it's different than mine!

"What would ya like ta drink then, dearies?"

"What juices do you have?"

"Apple and cranberry."

"Apple please."

"For de both of ya?"

Drake nodded, and Louisa left with their order. Almost as soon as she wasn't in earshot, Drake asked, "Master, why are those women next to us staring at me?"

Dri glanced over. At the next table, there were two young women, who were about Dri's own age. As soon as she glanced, she understood. The two women were thoroughly disgusted that Drake was there. "One moment."

Dri stood up and went to talk to Arsmith, the owner of the alehouse. "Arsmith, there are two women there that are disturbing my meal with Drake. Can I pretty please take care of them?" She smiled and batted her eyes playfully. Arsmith chuckled, knowing by now that it was Dri's way of begging.

Arsmith glanced over at the women's table. "Sure thing. Those ones cause trouble all the time in here. You'd better hurry. Looks like they're about to talk to Drake, and knowing them, it's nothing good."

Sure enough, the women were talking to Drake. Dri hurried back, but not before they started laughing scornfully. The next thing Dri knew, she had punched both women in the face…hard. "Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, makes fun of Drake."

The women glared back after they regained their balance. "He's just a pawn. Who cares about him?" one replied.

Dri smacked her. "I DO."

The other woman looked at Dri. "So, what he is then? Someone to fuck? They have no emotions, thoughts, or anything in there. The only things they require are physical."

Dri's control on her temper, the little she had left, snapped. "You are nothing more than a two piece whore." She grabbed the woman by the throat, and hauled her out of the alehouse. Her friend followed, screaming at Dri to let the woman go.

She did, outside the alehouse. Just as Dri was about to turn away, she heard the woman who she had grabbed spit out "A freak, a knife-eared freak, fucking a pawn. How quaint."

Dri's shoulders shook. Whether tears of anger or hurt began to fall, she couldn't tell before a large object rushed past her toward the women. When she looked back, Dri saw Drake pointing his hammer at the women. "Never. Insult. My. Master. Again." Drake growled in his deep voice. Dri began to walk towards him, hoping to prevent any further violence. However, Drake fastened his hammer on his back and placed a hand on her shoulder. He turned her gently and walked Dri back to their table.

About five minutes later, Arsmith came over with their meals. "On the house for getting rid of those two. They will probably never come back. Good riddance." Arsmith left then, in order to grant Dri and Drake some privacy after everything that had just happened.